What is the "Curse of the Billy Goat" in baseball?

The "Curse of the Billy Goat" is a legendary sports curse that is associated with the Chicago Cubs, a professional baseball team in Major League Baseball (MLB). The curse is believed to have originated during the 1945 World Series and has since become a significant part of Cubs folklore.

The story goes back to Game 4 of the 1945 World Series between the Chicago Cubs and the Detroit Tigers. During that game, a local Chicago tavern owner named William "Billy Goat" Sianis attended the match at Wrigley Field. Sianis was a passionate Cubs fan, and he brought his pet goat named Murphy with him to the game.

As the story goes, Sianis and Murphy were allowed into the stadium to watch the game. However, their strong odor from the goat's presence reportedly disturbed other fans. The ushers at Wrigley Field asked Sianis to leave the stadium, and in frustration, he cursed the team, stating, "Them Cubs, they ain't gonna win no more."

The Cubs ended up losing that World Series to the Tigers, and they did not return to the World Series for the next 71 years, sparking the legend of the "Curse of the Billy Goat." Over the decades that followed, the Cubs experienced many disappointing seasons, near misses, and heartbreaks, fueling the belief in the curse among fans.

The curse gained even more notoriety in the 2003 MLB postseason during the National League Championship Series (NLCS). The Cubs were on the verge of making it to the World Series, leading the series 3-2 against the Florida Marlins. However, in Game 6, a controversial play involving a Cubs fan named Steve Bartman interfering with a foul ball turned the tide. The Cubs lost that game and went on to lose Game 7, extending the curse's reputation.

The "Curse of the Billy Goat" became a popular storyline in Cubs history, captivating fans and the media alike. However, in 2016, the Cubs finally broke the curse and won the World Series for the first time since 1908, ending their 108-year championship drought. The victory was a historic moment for the franchise and brought closure to the legend of the "Curse of the Billy Goat," forever etching the 2016 Cubs team into baseball lore.

Photo: Pixabay (free)